PRESENTING WATER POLO PLAYERS AS HEROES THROUGH MODERN AVATARS

Belgrade, 19.01.2026 – During the European Men's Water Polo Championship, which is underway in Belgrade, a special light and music spectacle has been prepared that raises the sportsmanship and energy of the audience, but also of the players themselves. In addition to the spectacular light effects, which are in charge of Marko Malešević, one of the best experts in light design in the Balkans, the creative team, led by the art director, Jovana Radojević, designed the presentation of the water polo players in a very special way, depicting them as heroes. The revolution in the way athletes are presented began in Belgrade, Serbia. The sports presentation that starts 12 minutes before the start of each game provides a perfect overture that, along with dramatic music and special effects, contributes to the great atmosphere, which is due to the team led by Hanna experience, which was in charge of major European sports projects such as the European Swimming Championships 2024 in Belgrade, ATP 250 2024 in Belgrade, VNL - League of Nations 2025 in Belgrade...

Since the beginning of the competition, we have had the opportunity to follow the evolution of the presentation of the best European water polo players through their avatars in four phases. The first phase followed the first phase of the competition, the second phase of presentation is currently underway, the third phase during the semi-finals and the fourth will be presented during the final match. In the world of sports, few disciplines carry as much strength, discipline and team spirit as water polo. It is a sport that requires supreme physical fitness, mental endurance and precise strategy. Behind every player are years of training, sacrifice and dedication.

The idea of ​​presenting water polo players through avatars arose from the desire to bring those values ​​closer to new generations, primarily children and young people, through the language of contemporary culture that is close to them: the world of games, digital heroes and avatars. The avatar author's wish was to show water polo heroes, who are already heroes in the pool, as heroes in the digital world. Not to make them fictitious, but to emphasize what they really represent: strength, courage, team spirit and perseverance.

"Water polo is a sport in which victory is never won independently. Every goal, every defense and every victory is the result of trust and togetherness. It is precisely these values ​​that we want to convey through the visual narrative of avatars, as a contemporary form of an epic story about heroes," said Jovana, creator of the idea of ​​avatars.

The creative team found inspiration in the classic structure of a heroic story: from the call to battle, through challenges and key decisions, to the final victory. As the tournament progresses, our heroes also develop visually and symbolically, strengthening their presence on the field and in the arena.

In this way, water polo does not remain just a sport to be watched, but becomes a story to be experienced.

A story that shows young people that real heroes are real, that they wear caps and numbers, that they work in a team and that victory comes with work, trust and perseverance.

The goal is to raise the value of water polo and its athletes, to show them as role models and inspiration, not only for future athletes, but for all generations.

Join us at the Belgrade Arena, see live how the heroes are approaching the realization of their dream and be a part of it.

Tickets are on sale at the Tickets sales network and online at https://tickets.rs/tour/european_aquatics_water_polo_championship_men_belgrade_2026_2321 .

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